Kevin Masarik, from the Center for Watershed Science and Education at UW-Stevens Point, gave a very insightful presentation on the causes of nitrate pollution in groundwater.

Environment Issues Update

My nitrate work group met this week to hear presentations from some of the top experts in the state so we could get a better understanding of the factors behind nitrates polluting our waters.

The meeting followed my philosophy of taking a 30,000-foot view of the subject and gathering science-based research to come up with effective solutions to this very serious issue.

We first heard from Carrie Laboski, an associate professor with the UW-Madison Department of Soil Science. She talked about the agronomic need for nitrogen and the farm management challenges that come with using the chemical element.

Kevin Masarik, a groundwater education specialist with the Center for Watershed Science and Education at UW-Stevens Point, also gave a presentation on the locations of high-nitrate areas in the state and the causes of the pollutant being in our water.

He acknowledged that this is a problem that cannot be resolved quickly, which is why it is essential to focus on both short-term fixes and long-term solutions.

I would like to thank these speakers for taking the time out of their busy schedules to share their research with us. I’ve already received positive feedback from some of my legislative colleagues who attended the presentations and they are saying it really opened their eyes to the issue of how nitrates affect our daily lives.

The nitrate work group is expected to continue to meet monthly and my office is currently working on the agenda for the upcoming April meeting. Please keep an eye out for further information on my work group in future e-updates.

On a related note, I also recently sat down with officials from the DNR to discuss the progress of the Northeast Lakeshore Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) study that stretches from Port Washington to just south of Sturgeon Bay.

For those of you who are not familiar, a TMDL is the maximum amount of a pollutant allowed in a waterway while still meeting water quality standards. It also serves as a starting point, or a planning tool, for restoring water quality in a given area.

The results of this study, which span more than two years and 43 stream monitoring locations, should become available shortly after November when the observation period is complete. I am tremendously excited about this comprehensive study due to the amount of data I expect we will have at our disposal. The information will be a great asset in letting us know where we will need to focus our remediation efforts.

Legislative Update

It was an extremely busy week for me at the state Capitol. In addition to meeting with several constituents and stakeholders to learn more about their priorities, I also testified on one of my bills and helped advance several other of my legislative proposals. Please see below for more detailed information:

• My bill, AB 67, has been referred to the Assembly Committee on Education and a public hearing on the legislation is scheduled for April 4. AB 67 requires the state Department of Public Instruction to include the percentage of students participating in music, dance, drama and visual arts on the annual school and school district accountability report cards. Numerous studies show schools that offer more extensive opportunities in the arts have experienced better pupil attendance and achievements in other subjects. If you would be interested in testifying on the bill on April 4, please contact my office.
  
  
• I testified in front of the Assembly Community Development Committee on AB 66, my bill that will promote the arts and spur economic development by establishing a creative economy development initiative grant program. I focused my testimony on how the arts benefit all facets of our community, from inspiring creativity and self-confidence to providing family-supporting jobs. I am extremely thankful that Alan Kopischke, a leader in the local arts scene, came all the way from Fish Creek to speak on the merits of the bill and how it will strengthen our district. You can watch my testimony on my YouTube channel here.
  
  
• The bipartisan Blue Ribbon Commission on School Funding met to decide which legislative members would take the lead on certain bills. All of the legislation was drafted based on the commission’s final recommendations from the nine public hearings we held across the state. As co-chair of the commission, I am taking the lead on bills that will restore the annual indexing for inflation for per pupil adjustments under the revenue limits, provide additional opportunities for early childhood education, address the issue of negative tertiary aid and establish incentives for school districts to consolidate with the goal of reducing costs or increasing educational programs in rural areas. You can view the commission’s final report here.
  
  
• The co-sponsorship period has ended for my bill that will reduce the amount of contaminants in Wisconsin’s water by creating a system for buying and selling pollution credits through a third-party central clearinghouse. I am proud to announce that this legislation has received broad bipartisan support, with more than one-third of the Assembly and almost a half of the Senate signed on as co-sponsors. I hope this partnership between Republicans and Democrats stays strong so we can pass this bill to help protect our environment and improve our economy.

If you would like to follow all the legislation I am working on this session, please click here. You can also track the progress of each bill and receive regular updates by signing up for the Notify system here.

Upcoming District Events!

What: Family Art Day
Where: Peninsula School of Art , 3900 Cty F, Fish Creek, WI
When: Saturday, March 16, from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Details: "For families with children ages 3-17. Explore the latest exhibition in the Guenzel Gallery, experiment with new art media, work together as a family, and create a memorable work of art. Free."

What: St. Patrick's Day Parade
Where: Throughout Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, March 16, at 11:00 am
Details: "Celebrate your Irish spirit in Sturgeon Bay by attending the annual St. Patrick's Day Parade. Parade starts in Sawyer Park."

What: Open House
Where: Sturgeon Bay High School, 1230 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay, WI
When: Saturday, March 16, 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Details: "Celebrate 150 years with Jacksonport. Enjoy refreshments and a tour of the new facility."